Improvement in processes of producing imitation gold or silver lace



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EVERARD READ, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN PROCESSES 0F PRODUCING IMITATION GOLD 0R SILVER LACE.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 178,466, dated June 6, 1876; application filed January 29, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EVERARD READ, of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Imitation Goldand Silver Lace; and I do hereby de clare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction of the same.

This invention has relation to improvements in the manufacture of gilt or silvered fabrics. The object of the invention is to produce a cheap and durable article for ornamenting ball-dresses, theatrical costumes, and other analogous articles, which will be little liable to tear, and will possess in other important respects great advantages, and be of great value to the decorator, costumer, and the stage generally. The nature of the invention consists in a certain novel process for covering silk,cotton, and other fabrics with gold or silver, as will behereinafter more fully set forth. The article to be gilt or silvered may be of any description of silken, woolen, or cotton goods or fabrics in the market, as fringes, laces, braids, cords, or net-work, and the like. It will first be coated over with shellac, which closes up the interstices and forms a foundation, upon which is applied a coating of oil gold size by means of a suitable brush. This size is of an adhesive nature, and any substance placed -thereon will immediately adhere. Upon the surface thus obtained gold or silver leaf is applied by means ofa large camels-hair brush, and which, as above stated, .will immediately adhere. Any excess of material may be brushed off by means of a little cotton or wool held in the hand, and the fabric is now completed. This fabric will possess all the brilliancy of tinsel or silver gilt, and is capable of being sewed upon stage decorations or any otherarticle. Being very flexible and strong, it may be arranged in festoons or coiled about pillars, as well as sewed upon costumes, without fear of tearing or breaking loose from its attachments.

After the gold size has dried, thus securing the leaf to the fabric, I propose to apply a second coating of varnish, in order that the imitation gold or silver leaf may not become tarnished from exposure to atmospheric influences or from handling.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l.' The process herein described-for coating a woolen, silk, or cotton fabric with gold or silver, consisting in first laying thereon a foundation of shellac, then applying a coating of oil gold size, and finally laying on the gold or silver leaf, substantially as specified.-

2. The process of forming a gilt or silvered fabric, consisting in first laying on a coating of thin varnish to form a foundation, applying thereon a coating of oil gold size, then laying on the gold or silver leaf, brushing off the surplus, and finally applying a coating of varnish after the size has dried, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

EVERARD READ.

Witnesses:

ALLEN H. GANGEWER, EMILE L. PERDRIAUX. 

